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The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a critical tool for protecting and enhancing boating and other outdoor recreation opportunities, and it expired at the end of September.

Across the country, LWCF has helped establish access to rivers and waterways for boaters. LWCF does not use a dime of taxpayer money—it reinvests a portion of royalties from off-shore oil and gas leasing to protect recreation, trails, and parks. It has been described as America's most successful conservation program, and it has broad bipartisan support.

Unfortunately, reauthorization of this invaluable program is being held up in Congress by a vocal minority. Representatives in West Virginia are in a unique position to help move the bill forward. He needs to hear from you, though, to know that he continues to have the support of people who love the outdoors in West Virginia on this issue.

Please take a minute to share with your representative how important LWCF is to you. Use the form letter below and feel free to add a note or story of your own--the more personal, the better.

As a citizen of West Virginia and an avid boater, I am writing you about the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). I believe that LWCF is a successful and strategic tool for protecting and enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.

I know that the LWCF has a long history of success all across America, and had been led to believe that the LWCF had broad bipartisan support. If this was true, how did Congress allow it to expire on September 30 after a history of success?

I trust that you will do all you can to work toward successful reauthorization, both in the Committee and among your House colleagues. Please consider supporting a straight reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The version introduced by Senators Murkowski and Cantwell permanently reauthorizes LWCF, balances land acquisition with other conservation programs important to states and creates a new National Park Maintenance and Revitalization Fund, to address a huge maintenance backlog.

I want to support you in this effort. Congressman, if you can’t support reauthorization of LWCF, where a majority of the funding goes to support state and local needs, I would appreciate knowing why not.

Thank you for your leadership in the House, and for doing what is right for our state and America.

P.S. LWCF has been a source of vital recreational infrastructure construction and maintenance funding for states and municipalities in the past. Thank you for your leadership to restore the LWCF and provide future conservation and recreational support.

ACA Mission

Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related
to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport
competition, exploration and recreation.